Criteria for the Community Grant Scheme and the Supporting Local Business Grant Scheme

Community groups and businesses will be able to apply for a minimum grant of £2,000 and a maximum grant of £10,000.  

Applications for both schemes will require evidence of match funding of 10% of the grant amount being applied for. 

For community grants, applications will be required to provide evidence of being a community organisation, (such as a parish council, registered charity, a Community Interest Company - CIC), or other form of organisation. 

For local business grants, applications will be required to provide evidence of being a business (such as being listed on Companies House or an equivalent). 

Businesses and community organisations will need to demonstrate evidence of liquidity (such as their accounts showing healthy reserves, and that the organisation or business is sustainable). 

Further information will be provided on the type of evidence required to meet the criteria set out above at the point both schemes go live. 

Projects must be located in New Forest District and within either: 

• towns, villages and hamlets with populations below 10,000 and the wider countryside, or 
• market or hub towns with populations of up to 30,000. 

Evidence how they would meet the themes and outcomes outlined in the overview of government investment priorities for the UK Rural England Prosperity Fund.  

Themes

The themes are:  

• support for business 
• thriving places 
• healthy, safe and inclusive communities 

Outcomes

Applications for the Community Grant Scheme and Supporting Local Business Grant Scheme will need to demonstrate how grant money would be spent to benefit communities, businesses, and the local economy.   

Examples of the types of outcomes that could be delivered are:

• increased productivity of businesses
• businesses expanding into new areas or exploring fresh product ideas
• businesses adopting new ways of working including using new technology or processes that are different from those already in use
• increased use of community assets/facilities
• high levels of individuals engaged as a result of the project being delivered (this could relate to physical, digital engagements)
• increased visitor numbers to a local area, attraction, or specific venue
• increase in the number of community led programmes provided with a specific focus on topics such as art, culture and heritage
• enhanced access to volunteering opportunities linked with investment in community led programmes and projects
• support our corporate priorities of People, Place and Prosperity as set out in our corporate plan

Further details including definitions and suitable interventions will be set out soon.